Douglas Sills Withdraws from Spamalot

Douglas Sills, who had been announced as one of the stars of the upcoming Chicago and Broadway productions of Monty Python’s Spamalot, will not be appearing in the show after all.

According to a representative for Sills, “While Douglas’ excitement about the production has not diminished, he feels it is artistically necessary and best for not only himself, but for the show as well, for him to depart in its early stages.” The producers of the new musical have acknowledged that “considerable changes in the original script have taken place during the rehearsal process dramatically affecting the roles that Douglas Sills was playing. After extensive conversations between Douglas and the creative team, he has chosen to withdraw from the production.”

Spamalot, a new musical inspired by the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is scheduled to begin previews at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre on February 14, 2005 and to open on March 17. The production will hit Broadway following a four-week world premiere engagement at Chicago’s Shubert Theatre.